Los Angeles Lakers Reportedly Have Trade Interest In 2x NBA All-Star

According to Evan Sidery of Forbes, the Lakers have an interest in Nikola Vucevic.

Feb 14, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) dunks the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images / David Banks-Imagn Images

Nikola Vucevic is currently in the middle of his 14th NBA season

The Chicago Bulls center is averaging 20.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest while shooting 55.8% from the field and 43.6% from the three-point range in 34 games.

Via Bulls on CHSN on Monday: "Nikola Vucevic passed Michael Jordan for 5th most double-doubles in Bulls history👏"

Nikola Vucevic passed Michael Jordan for 5th most double-doubles in Bulls history👏 pic.twitter.com/LsE0O35NAg

— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) January 7, 2025

Vucevic will be a player who continues to come up in trade rumors over the next month.

The most recent report comes from Evan Sidery of Forbes.

Via Sidery: "The Lakers have recently checked in with the Bulls on Nikola Vucevic.

Los Angeles is calling around attempting to find a center upgrade, which also includes Robert Williams and Jonas Valanciunas.

After acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers are setting up for another move."

The Lakers have recently checked in with the Bulls on Nikola Vucevic.

Los Angeles is calling around attempting to find a center upgrade, which also includes Robert Williams and Jonas Valanciunas.

After acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers are setting up for another move. pic.twitter.com/prsxs7K7uz

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 6, 2025

The two-time NBA All-Star could be an extremely intriguing addition to a team such as the Lakers.

Playing next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis would give him a lot of open looks.

Jan 6, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) shoots against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images / Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

This season, the 34-year-old is shooting a career-high from the field (and the three-point range).

In addition to the Bulls, Vucevic has also spent time with the Orlando Magic.

Nikola Vucevic makes 20 million this season.

I’m using his salary as an example cuz he’s linked

That means the Lakers are either moving Hachimura or Vanderbilt at the deadline 100%. There’s no way for the Lakers to trade for a high salary player without moving one of those two.

— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) January 6, 2025

The Lakers are the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a 20-15 record in 35 games.

They have gone 7-3 over their last ten.

Dec 20, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) defends against Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images / Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

On the other hand, the Bulls have had another mediocre start to the season, with a 17-19 record in 36 games.

Therefore, moving Vucevic for the right offer would make sense.